GDE defends provincial textbook suppliers

The GDE has noted comments by a political party that the department’s paperless classroom project runs the risk of being another Limpopo textbook disaster.

Phumla Sekhonyane, spokesman for the department, says the political party is stating this because the department has appointed EduSolution, the company responsible for the Limpopo textbook crisis, as the main service provider in the e-learning project.

“The reality is that the department appointed EduSolution in 2012 until March next year to provide services relating to the procurement and delivery of learner and e-learning support material to schools in the province,” Sekhonyane said.

“When the paperless classroom project was initiated, the department obtained legal advice on this particular matter.”

The advice pointed out that it would not be in the best interest of the department to cancel the existing contract with EduSolution and appoint a new service provider as it would be a costly decision and cause delays in the implementation of the project.

On these bases, a decision was taken to continue with the current contracted service provider.

“Over the past years EduSolution has delivered to the satisfaction of the department,” said Sekhonyane.

Strict mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that contractual obligations are adhered to by EduSolution and there are severe penalties for non-delivery.

“GDE remains committed and determined to realise its vision which aspires to build a world-class education system by modernising public education and improving the standard of performance of the entire system. No amount of criticism will deter our efforts in attaining this vision.”

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